Navy Medicine VITAL SIGNS NAVAL HEALTH CLINIC ANNAPOLIS Committed to Excellence Since 1845 I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E : NHC Annapolis Clinic Relocation Message from the CO 1 2 Heritage Fair 3 Medical Corps Birthday Command Training Days American Red Cross Volunteer Celebration 4 4 5 HRO Fair 5 Awards 6 Promotions and Retirements 7 LT Pia Francisco Public Affairs Officer HM2 Ritchey Assistant Public Affairs Officer J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 7 T O M A R C H 2 0 1 7 Change of Command Ceremony Naval Health Clinic Annapolis Relocation As we end an important chapter in the history of Naval Health Clinic Annapolis, we embark on a new and exciting era of patient care. While it has been emotional to say goodbye to the beautiful and historic Hospital Point location, we have welcomed a state of the art facility providing our patients with modern technology and greater access to care than ever before. On March 27, 2017, the Command held a final colors ceremony that was open to the public. For one final time, the ensign was ceremoniously lowered by the Command color guard signifying the end to 110 years of dedicated Navy Medical service. The following morning, with the Naval Academy band providing support, we raised the ensign for the first time at our North Severn location. The events were a prelude to the grand opening that took place May 10, 2017 with many dignitaries in attendance. Naval Health Clinic Annapolis at Hospital Point opened its doors in 1907 and was the oldest military treatment facility in Navy Medicine until its closing on March 27. Hospital Point consistently changed with the needs of the time. At one point in its history it maintained 333 hospital beds with the ability to expand to 480. In 1979, the building transition from a hospital to a clinic and in 2004 the medical clinic became a health clinic with the integration of dental services. Though it is difficult to say goodbye to building 250 and Hospital Point, we are comforted by the fact that it will remain in dedicated service to the brigade of midshipmen and the Naval Academy, said CAPT Michael B. McGinnis. The new location at 695 Kinkaid Road boasts 101,500 square feet of the most modern technology available in patient care. Eight years in the making and at a cost of 43.5 million dollars, the medical technology and environmentally savvy design ensure that Naval Health Clinic Annapolis will provide patients with the greatest care well in to the 21st century. Conveniently located next to the Navy Exchange and the Commissary, access to care is more readily available than ever before. The majestic building at Hospital Point will continue to amaze with its view on the Severn River and remain to accomplish the Navy s mission in new capacities. The NHCA staff of approximately 400 military, civilian, and contract staff will continue to be the premier choice for patients and staff promoting excellence in health, wellness, and readiness for the over 14,000 patients entrusted to our care. - HM2 Ritchey
P A G E 2 Message from the CO Warm greetings Naval Health Clinic Annapolis family! This has been another incredible three months for our command. Captain Michael B. McGinnis Commanding Officer Naval Health Clinic Annapolis We started 2017 with a bang. The National Committee for Quality Assurance recognized our Medical Home Port with level III recognition, the highest level possible! We are proud of our dedicated personalized high quality care and it is always good to hear from outside experts and see that they agree. The NCQA validated our approach to primary care and gave us a very high score of 97%. With our healthcare teams of motivated corpsmen, MAs, nurses, clerks and providers, we consistently are at the forefront of patient satisfaction in the National Capital Region. Additionally, these last three months saw the culmination of almost a decade of planning and hard work for the design, build and opening of Naval Health Clinic Annapolis new flagship facility on the North Severn. Building 250 served us well for 110 years, a testament to the fantastic design of the building as well as the importance of our command mission as we adapted and changed with the times. BUMED created a video celebrating Building 250 s steadfast service at Hospital Point. If you haven t seen it, click on the link below: https://www.dvidshub.net/video/528880/history-naval-health-clinic-annapolis Many of our alumni, family and friends gathered with us as we witnessed final colors on March. With a transition that moved smoothly and safely, we quickly had Building 695 open for business and fully operational ahead of schedule. Our new facility s opening is just the beginning of the command s new chapter in service to the Navy. We have a world class facility that complements the talent and innovative spirit of our staff. I m looking forward to establishing with you a solid foundation of success in our new facility and building on our strong support of our branch health clinics in Bancroft Hall, Pennsylvania and New Jersey!
P A G E 3 Heritage Fair The NHCA Multi-Cultural Committee held its annual Heritage Fair with great success. Multiple presentations were given by NHCA staff encompassing a vast amount of cultures and heritage. From Swedish culture to Irish heritage, and everything in between, the presentations served as a glimpse into the history of our shared past. With nearly the entire command in attendance through the duration of the event, it was clear that our varied backgrounds and shared experiences are what make this command such a special place. The Heritage fair is incredibly important because it places extra attention on why diversity is so paramount in today s navy. Each and every heritage event presents new ideas and ultimately strengthens communication. It is a wonderful opportunity to learn about our co-workers distinctive backgrounds, and sheds light on how unique of a group we truly are. With all of the excellent information being shared, it would be hard to walk away without learning something. With staff members dressing up in fashions native to their presentations, along with cultural food dishes being served, something unique awaited visitors at every booth. It is important to look at the many cultures and heritages that make up our Navy, and it is even more important to celebrate them together. -HN Anderson
Medical Corps Birthday NHC Annapolis staff members celebrated the 146th birthday of the U.S. Navy Medical Corps by holding a cake-cutting ceremony March 3rd, 2017. The Medical Corps was established in 1871 by the 41st U.S. Congress to provide medical care to U.S. Navy and Marine Corps personnel aboard ships and shore stations, as well as on the battlefield. No matter where sailors and Marines may serve, the Navy Medical Corps is there to ensure the health and well-being of the fighting force. P A G E 4 Today more than 4,000 active duty and reserve doctors serve the Navy throughout the world providing exemplary care. Medical Corps officers are part of more than 63,000 Navy Medicine personnel that provide healthcare support to the Navy, Marine Corps, veterans and their families. They work in high tempo operational environments, at expeditionary medical facilities, medical treatment facilities, hospitals, clinics, hospital ships and research units around the world. It is through their hard work and dedication that we are able to provide patients with the high quality of care they have come to expect. - HM2 Schaeffer Command Training Days Training is essential for knowledge transfer. It is extremely important to share and pass knowledge between your staff. If only a single person possesses special skills, you'll have a tough time recouping their knowledge if they suddenly leave the command. Spreading information is like diversifying your investments. Training adds flexibility and efficiency to all employees of the Command. You can cross-train employees to be capable in more than one aspect of the command, teaching them to be competent in patient care, customer service, administration, and operations. This will help keep them interested and will be enormously beneficial when setting schedules or filling in for absences. Cross-training also fosters team spirit as employees appreciate the challenges faced by co-workers, shipmates, or patients. We came together and really pushed through for Command training days on March 9 and 10, 2017. Our staff came together as a family during our drills and walkthroughs throughout the day. The code pink drill was taken very seriously and the staff worked together to ensure the safety of the missing child. The days were more than just a day of development; it was a day of opportunity. Whether it was standing in the cold snowy weather waiting for the fire department to secure the code red, or the frantic intensity of finding a secure place to hide during the active shooter drill, our staff worked together and efficiently spread knowledge and information to ensure future security. - HM3 Cage
American Red Cross Volunteer Celebration On March 20, 2017 Naval Health Clinic Annapolis celebrated our American Red Cross volunteers that donate their time and effort at our great Command. In 2016, NHC Annapolis had 28 American Red Cross volunteers donate more than 1,300 hours of time. Margaret DiGiorgio was awarded a letter of appreciation from the Command for being the volunteer liaison. NHC Annapolis would like to say THANK YOU to all of our Red Cross volunteers for their time. P A G E 5 - HM2 Schaeffer Interested in becoming a Red Cross volunteer? Contact Margaret.DiGiorgio@redcross.org or Jennifer.C.Griffeth.mil@mail.mil for more information on how you can help. HRO Fair The Naval Health Clinic Annapolis shines as a High Reliability Organization. On March 1st, 2017 NHC Annapolis held the HRO Family Feud Fair, where staff and enlisted enjoyed a carnival atmosphere complete with classic games with a HRO twist. Events included ring toss, clown tooth knock-out, ball toss, coin toss, connect 4, cornhole, and ping pong to test our collective knowledge of HRO concepts. As Naval Health Clinic Annapolis continues to strengthen and mature as a High Reliability Organization, we strive to improve our Command through the five HRO principles: Preoccupation with failure; Reluctance to simplify; Sensitivity to operations; Commitment to resilience; and Deference to expertise. As a High Reliability Organization there's a laser-sharp focus to collectively think about, anticipate, and share concerns that could impact even the smallest deviation. HRO staff, regardless of their role, are invited to think of potential failures before a problem has occurred. Leaders and staff demonstrate their Sensitivity to Operations by being keenly aware of the state of the systems and processes that affect patient care. HROs are resilient because, despite an understanding that errors cannot be completely eliminated, all efforts remain focused on addressing deficiencies quickly and at an early stage. This is done routinely to prevent harm and decrease the likelihood of errors escalating or resulting in unmanageable problems. HROs are unique in that they are structured so that organizational hierarchy does not determine how to deal with an issue, instead, skill level and expertise are valued. Leaders listen to and value the input of subject matter experts. It is through patient safety and remaining a dedicated HRO that Naval Health Clinic Annapolis remains committed to excellence since 1845! V I T A L S I G N S
J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 7 T O M A R C H P A G E 6 Awards Awards HMC Ricardo Palacios, NCM HM2 King, NAM HM2 MaryGrace Scott, NAM HM3 Ryan Calabrese, GC HM3 JoshuaFrancis Pinzon, GC HN Nicholas Anderson, GC HM2 King, MOVSM HM3 Cody Brown, FLOC HM2 Brandon Blyden, LOA HM2 Nicholas DeNardo, LOA HM2 David Yi, LOA CDR Nicholas Cardinale, P-Safe LT William Sterling, P-Safe HM2 Blaine Jackson, P-Safe HM2 Griffin Kimani, P-Safe Awards HM2 David Zwiers, P-Safe HM3 Nicolette Grant, P-Safe Ms. Brown, P-Safe Periodic Awards Mr. David Wenck, CSV Periodic Awards MSM: Meritorious Service Medal JSCM: Joint Services Commendation Medal NCM: Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal NAM: Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal GC: Good Conduct Medal MOVSM: Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal FLOC: Flag Letter of Commendation LOC: Letter of Commendation LOA: Letter of Appreciation P-Safe: Patient Safety Award
P A G E 7 Promotions & Retirements Fair Winds and Following Seas to MA1 Sidney Lindeke for his dedicated service to our country. Best of luck in your future and you will be missed. Congratulations ENS Michael Weaver for your hard work and selection to the FY17 MSC-IPP Healthcare Administration Program. The Navy s newest Mustang! VISION To be the premier choice for patients and staff, promoting excellence in health, wellness and readiness. Check out our Facebook page for more photos from the command and updates on what s happening at the command. https://www.facebook.com/ NavalHealthClinicAnnapolis If you would like to contribute an article or announcement to this newsletter, please email HM2 Neil E. Ritchey at neil.e.ritchey.mil@mail.mil or call him at 410-293-1737 MISSION To optimize the health and readiness of the Brigade of Midshipmen, Active and Reserve Forces, and all others entrusted to our care. GUIDING PRINCIPLES Honor, Courage, Commitment and Diversity